Raisable Pool and Modular Spa Floor

ABSTRACT

Described is a submersible floor or deck deployable in swimming pools and spas. The floor and seat panels are assembled and deployed in the basin or pool. The floor is mounted to a scaffolding and can be moved reversibly by a water pump or a hydraulic actuator between a lowered state substantially parallel to a floor of the pool and a raised state that is substantially flat and horizontal at a level substantially even with a top edge of the pool or spa. One version uses water flow from an existing or conventional water pump to circulate water that impinges on a paddlewheel that, in turn, drives one or more vertically mounted screws. The screws provide the vertical motive force to the floor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 62/349,119 filed on Apr. 13, 2016 titled “Raisable Pool and ModularSpa Floor” and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/483,955 filed on Apr.11, 2017 titled “Raisable Pool and Modular Spa Floor Via HydraulicLift,” the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Field

The present application relates generally to systems and structures toraise and lower a submersible pool deck, pool floor or spa floor. Thestructures may be part of a pool or wet play structure, or may be astand-alone architectural construction as part of a pool, spa, bathroom,shower facility or recreational installation.

Related Art

One persistent shortcoming of indoor and outdoor pools and spas is thedifficulty in covering and uncovering them. Automated systems forcovering them are often expensive, complex and prone to wear. Further,the action of covering and uncovering is often time-consuming.Stand-alone spas are sizable, self-enclosed basins that consume a largeportion of a room or deck. Many of these spas are not recessed into thefloor. These large water basins often go unused for much of the time dueto their shortcomings. The loss of floor space or deck space issignificant when considering multi-use areas.

While there have been efforts at creating submersible floors or decks,these floors often cannot support any significant weight, and requiresubstantial modification to existing structures and existing equipment.Many existing pools and spas are not amenable to retrofitting with araisable submersible floor. Further, conventional submersible floorscannot accommodate shelves, steps and seats of spas.

Accordingly, there is a substantial opportunity for a system that canprovide a convenient and reliable raisable, submersible floor withoutsignificantly altering existing pool or spa infrastructure and designs.

SUMMARY

While specific embodiments are described, the following are variousaspects of the disclosure.

According to a first aspect, a pool system comprises a basin forming awater-receiving recess. The recess is formed with one or more walls anda bottom surface. A floor is disposed above the bottom surface in thebasin. The floor is mounted to a horizontally disposed scaffolding. Thefloor stretches horizontally across at least a portion of the basin. Awater circulation pump resides external to the basin. The pump isplumbed to the basin so as to circulate water to and from the basinthrough a first pipe and a second pipe fixed to the basin when the watercirculation pump is activated. A lift in mechanical connection with thescaffolding is available. The lift includes a paddlewheel in the path ofthe flow of water from the first pipe and the second pipe. Thepaddlewheel turns in response to operation of the pump in either a firstdirection or a second direction depending on which way the pumpcirculates water. The lift includes a rotatable screw that is inmechanical connection with other components. The screw is mountedvertically in the basin. The scaffolding is mounted to the screw by wayof a nut or other threaded means thereby allowing the scaffolding andfloor to move up and down on the screw by operation of the paddlewheelof the lift in response to flow of water impinging on the paddlewheel.

According to another aspect, the paddlewheel is mounted under the floorand scaffolding. The lift includes a transmission for transmittingrotational motion of the paddlewheel to the screw. While a single screwis mentioned, a plurality of screw lifts provide a movement means to afloor, a seat, or a combination of a floor and a seat.

According to another aspect, the floor is formed from a set of planarpieces, each piece individually affixed to the scaffolding.

According to another aspect, the floor is separated into a first portionand a second portion The first portion of the floor is attached to afirst and central portion of the scaffolding. The second portion isattached to a second and perimeter portion of the scaffolding. The firstportion of the scaffolding is configured to pass proximate to the bottomsurface of the basin when the floor is lowered. The second portion ofthe scaffolding is configured to rest on a seat shoulder of the basin ata seat level in the pool system when the floor is lowered.

According to another aspect, an edge of the first portion of the floorin a vertical dimension is formed at an angle with respect to thevertical, and a corresponding edge of the second portion of the floor inthe vertical dimension is formed in a corresponding angle so that thefirst portion catches and lifts the second portion of the floor when thescaffolding is raised from a lowered position within the basin.

According to another aspect, the basin is formed with a perimeterscupper.

According to another aspect, a top planar outer portion of the perimeterscupper is co-planar with the floor of the pool system when the floor isin an upper-most position.

According to another aspect, the lift includes a linear screw actuatorwith a static load capacity for the floor such that when the rotatablescrew stops turning, the screw actuator locks in place.

According to another aspect, the screw is formed with a buttress thread.

According to another aspect, the water circulation pump is powered byelectricity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the appended claims set forth the features of the invention withparticularity, the invention, together with its objects and advantages,is more readily appreciated from the following detailed description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout, likenumerals generally refer to like parts. Unless specifically indicated,the components and drawings are not shown to scale.

FIG. 1 is an overhead perspective view of an assembled spa basin havinga vertically offset scupper where the raisable, submersible floor islowered into the basin according to a first illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an overhead perspective view of the spa basin shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 2B through FIG. 2E are perspective drawings of various componentsinternal to the spa first illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the spa basin shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A through FIG. 4E are a series of views of components of a troughcorner as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A through FIG. 5C are a series of views of components of a wallcorner as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C are a series of views of components of a troughedge as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are a series of views of components of a trough edgeas first shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are a series of views of components of a benchcorner as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A through FIG. 9C are a series of views of components of a benchedge as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are a series of views of components of a floorpanel as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11-12 are two illustrations of an assembled and installed spaaccording to a first embodiment as first shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 13-14 are two illustrations of an assembled and installed spaaccording to a second embodiment with the scupper formed near theco-planar level of the top of the spa.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternativeembodiment of a spa with an electric powered hydraulic lift mechanismfor raising the floor panels of a spa where the floor panels areillustrated in a first position.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of thealternative embodiment of FIG. 15 with the floor panels in a secondposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview. The instant application describes a spa that solves many ofthe shortcomings of existing submersible spa floor systems. Thedescribed systems and components are particularly designed for use withexisting water circulation equipment. While a spa is described, the samedescription applies equally to basins, pools, and the like where afloor, wall, or surface is or has been traditionally a fixed surface.

FIG. 1 is an overhead perspective view of an assembled spa 100 accordingto a first illustrated embodiment in an assembled, and partiallyinstalled, state. The interior 101 of the spa 100 is formed into a basinhaving a vertically offset scupper 117 where a raisable, submersiblefloor 111 is fully lowered into the basin. The scupper 117 is designedto catch water that flows above a top edge 118 of the basin. Thereservoir of the scupper 102 passes around the entire perimeter of thebasin. The basin has an inner surface 103. The scupper 117 includes aninner surface 116. The top edge 118 may be covered with tiles 108,stones, and the like. Each tile 108 may be of a different size and shapeto conform to a particular size, shape and perimeter of the basin. Forexample, a corner cladding piece 109 is visible at each corner of thebasin. The inner surface 103 of the basin may or may not includecladding. The inner surface 103 may be broken with jet orifices orapertures 115 to allow for water and air bubbles (not shown) to becirculated inside the basin.

There are different depth surfaces Inside the interior 101. In FIG. 1, aseat cladding 110 covers a ledge inside the basin. The floor cladding111 covers a frame (not shown) that is resting in the bottom of theinterior 101 of the spa 100. A lower wall 113 is visible between theseat cladding 110 and the floor cladding 111. The lower wall 113 may ormay not be clad or coated with a material such as a paint, powdercoating, metal finishing, and so forth.

The floor and the seat may be raised upward to a desired location suchas level with the top edge or top rim 118 of the basin. Interior to thebasin is one or more lift mechanism coverings 112 that may be formedwith a small aperture 114 running up and down the covering. The aperture114 accommodates mechanical elements that facilitate movement of theseat cladding 110 and floor cladding 111 upward and downward accordingto actuators that are operated by application of electricity as shownand explained with reference to other figures. Two mechanical coverings112 are visible in FIG. 1. In practice, two or more of lift arms passingup and down through the apertures 114 are used. For example, fourvertical components and four channels are shown in FIG. 2A, and twovertical components and two channels are shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, inorder to balance the floor and mechanical forces, the verticalcomponents are arranged symmetrically relative to the floor and seatingso that little or no binding of rotating components occurs.

An outside, perimeter floor leading up to the outside of the spa basinis not illustrated for sake of convenience in FIG. 1. An outer cladding104 is already attached to the basin which is preferably made of astainless steel. The basin is made from various segments and assembledtogether using bolts and welding as will be evident to one of ordinaryskill upon reading this document. Visible in FIG. 1 is a scupper segment105 that is shown in a disassembled state in other figures. The outersurface 107 of the scupper is visible and lies substantially below a topplane of the basin in FIG. 1.

When installed, a floor surrounding the spa basin may be formed over thetop edge 106 of the scupper 117. Alternatively, the outer lip of scupper117 may be lodged over the top of a perimeter floor in which the entireassembly is installed. The workings of the raisable floor are morevisible in FIG. 2A. FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a simplified view of this spabasin installed in a floor.

FIG. 2A is an overhead perspective view of a spa 200 similar to oneshown in FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 2A, plumbingand a pump 130 are installed proximate and exterior to the basin. Thepump 130 is operated by electricity and therefore may include a powercord that is not shown in FIG. 2A.

Plumbing is affixed to the bottom portion of the basin such as at afirst interface 133 and at a second interface 134 at a second locationat an exterior surface 123 of the lower portion of the basin. A scupper117 runs around an outer perimeter of the basin and includes a topsurface 106, an interior reservoir 102, and seams 121 that have beenwelded. The inner surface 103 of the basin is visible along with fourvertical columns 112B in the wall of the basin that house and covermechanical lift elements. The outer surface 122 may be continuous or maybe broken by one or more seams 120. A seam 120 in the basin may besealed by welding or some other means. Vertical apertures 114 arevisible along the vertical columns 112B. The vertical columns may beformed at a seam of components of the basin for ease in manufacturingand assembling the spa 200. The top surface 119 around the rim 118 ofthe basin is flat to accommodate cladding or flooring above the basin.

While not visible, piping extends further inside the basin from thesecond interface 134 as explained in reference to other figures. Pipinginterior to the basin serves as a means for flowing water to actuate themechanical elements to raise the floor of the spa 200. According to oneembodiment, the pump 130 circulates the water through either pipe 131Aor 132B. For example, circulating water in the first pipe 131A is in afirst direction and causes the floor of the spa to be lowered.Circulating the water in a second way or direction through the secondpipe 131B raises the floor of the spa. Thus, the floor of the spa 200may be raised and lowered by operation of the pump in either a first orsecond direction. The return pipes 132A, 132B allow the water to bepulled toward and into a portion of the pump 130. The locations of theinterfaces 133, 134 in FIG. 2A are illustrative only. The pipes such asthe second effluent pipe 132B may include one or more joints 135 toaccommodate the various geometries according to a size and shape of thespa 200 and according to the surroundings and location of the spa.Preferably, the spa 200 is installed in a fixed location such as in ornear a dwelling.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a lift mechanism 300 that is installedinside the basin illustrated in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2B, threaded verticalrisers or vertical screws 140 operate as rails upon which a frame ridesup and down upon the four vertical risers 140. The full frame is onlypartially illustrated by a piece 150. The vertical risers 140 fit andare housed within the columns 112B of FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2B, the verticalrisers 140 operate by interacting with a series of other componentsincluding a respective lateral axle 145 in a riser gearbox 142, onegearbox 142 at each corner of the mechanism 300. The riser gearboxes 142translate rotational motion in axles 144, 145 operating in a plane ofthe floor of the spa 200 to vertical movement operable by rotation ofthe vertical risers 140. Another component of the lift mechanism 300 isa pair of central gearboxes 143 that translate motion from longitudinalaxles 144 to the lateral axles 145. The central gearboxes 143 are a typeof T-junction transmission box. The longitudinal axles 144 are operatedby the flow of water that enters the central housing 146 by way of ports147 that terminate the two pipes 131A, 131B that emanate from the pump130 shown in FIG. 2A. The coordinated operation of the risers 140 from acentral gearbox 146 allows for a smooth and even (level) lifting of theentire floor upward from a recessed or lowered place within the spa 200.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view a carriage or a frame 400 upon which afloor or floor cladding 111 is carried up and down within the basin 200first shown in FIG. 2A. A similar frame could be used in the basin shownin FIG. 1. In FIG. 2C, a frame 400 includes one or more lateral rails150A, 150B and one or more longitudinal rails 150C, 150D. A plate orfloor is not shown in FIG. 2C on top of the frame 400 for sake ofsimplicity of illustration but may be added to the lift system, and sucha plate or a floor may be mounted on top of the frame 400 as a supportto cladding, tiles, and like that forms the bottom of the spa 200 shownin FIG. 2A.

The frame 400 includes a frame rail height 153, a longitude length 154,a lateral length 155, and a rail width 156. The lateral length 155 is adistance between a pair of the vertical columns 112B in FIG. 2A. Thelongitude length 154 extends partially or fully across the interior ofthe basin. While the rails 150A-150D are shown as having flat surfaces,such is not required. The rail width 156 may be smaller than the railheight 153 so as to minimize a size of the slot or the vertical opening114 inside the spa 200. The ends of the lateral rails 150A, 150B travelvertically within these slots or apertures 114. The frame 400 travelsunder up and down under the flooring 111 and seating 110 so that nomechanical part is exposed when the frame 400 is operated and movedvertically within the spa.

In FIG. 2C, a set of apertures 151 is formed in the frame 400 toaccommodate the threaded risers 140. Each of the apertures 151 may beformed with threads 152 that engage with the threads of the risers 140shown in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, only some of the frame 400 may befixedly connected to a floor 111. In other embodiments, none of thefloor cladding 111 is attached to the frame for ease of maintenance andassembly. In operation, when the frame 400 is raised upward from abottom position, the frame eventually catches and lifts a seat claddingsuch as the seat cladding 110 shown in FIG. 1. That is, the seatcladding 110 may be raised to the top rim 118 of the basin by having theframe 400 reversibly contact and lift the seat cladding 110. When theframe 400 is lowered past the seat level in the spa 100, the seatcladding 110 remains at the seat level, and the floor 111 and frame 400continues to travel downward to the final and end of the range of motion140A shown in FIG. 2C.

In FIG. 2C. the central gearbox 146 is shown in dashed lines below aplane of the frame 400 to show that the flow of water that actuates thecentral gearbox 146 through ports 147 flows beneath the floor of theframe 400 and below a floor 111 of a spa. That is, few of the movingparts are exposed in or above the spa basin. While the risers 140 inFIG. 2B and columns 112B in FIG. 2A are shown as vertical, thecomponents may be mechanically arranged such that the floor and seatsmay be operated in part laterally.

FIG. 2D is a perspective transparent view of a central gearbox 143 and acorner gearbox 142. The corner gearbox 142 is a type of L-junctiontransmission box. The central gearbox 143 houses one end of a primaryaxle 144 and one end of a lateral axle 145. According to the illustratedembodiment, each of these ends includes a respective bevel gear 162,163. The second or opposite end of the lateral axle 145 is enclosed inthe corner gearbox 142. The second end includes a worm gear 160 thatinteroperates with a worm wheel 161. The worm wheel 161 is attached to abottom end of a riser shaft 140. The elements illustrated in FIG. 2D arejust one embodiment of translating rotation motion into translationalmotion for a vertically-operating frame such as frame 400 first shown inFIG. 2C. The various components in FIG. 2D are preferably made of astainless steel, brass, or other material that is chemically inert whensubmerged in water that fills a basin.

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of a central housing 146 first illustratedin FIG. 2B. The central housing 146 and related components are part ofthe vertical lift system 300 that is installed in the basin illustratedin FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2E, the central housing 146 encloses several movableparts. A paddlewheel 170 includes a set of fins or paddles 170A thatreceive a flow of fluid from the water pump 130 through effluents orports 147. The fins 170A may be curved or straight. Pipes 131A, 131Bbring water from the pump 130 to the central housing 146. The flow ofwater 176 impinges on the fins 170A and turns the paddlewheel 170 aboutan axis illustrated by an axle 171. A secondary gear such as the wormwheel 175 translates the rotation motion of the paddlewheel 170 intorotational motion of the longitudinal axles 144. At the end of eachlongitudinal axle 144 is a respective worm gear 173, 174 that interfaceswith the worm wheel 175. The paddlewheel 170 lays flat in a plane of thefloor of the spa. That way, the paddlewheel 170 may have a substantiallylarger diameter than a diameter of the secondary gear or worm wheel 175.For example, the diameter of the paddlewheel 170 is at least two times,three times, four times, or fraction thereof larger than the diameter ofthe secondary gear 175. A relatively large paddlewheel 170 enables quietoperation of the machinery with a modest flow of water and allows for aquick operation (e.g., rotation) of the vertical risers 140. Thepaddlewheel 170 can operate in either direction—a first direction ofrotation raises the floor frame 400, and a second direction of rotationlowers the floor frame 400. The first direction corresponds to a fluidflow from the first effluent pipe 131A, and the second directioncorresponds to a fluid flow from the second effluent pipe 131B.

One mechanical embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2E, but otherembodiments are possible. For example, a series of gears andtransmission may exist between the paddlewheel 170 and the secondarygear 175 that rotates the axles 144. For example, the ends of eachlongitudinal axle 144 may be fitted with its own paddlewheel without theuse for a large central paddlewheel 170. Those in the mechanical artswould be able to experiment with various combinations of pumps, gears,wheels, axles and the like to translate energy from a water pump andturn it into a force that can vertically lift a floor from a spadepending on one or more design goals such as a weight of a floor andseat, a speed of raising the floor and seat, a speed or lowering thefloor and seat, an amount of sound generated in raising or lowering thefloor and seat, and so forth. According to one implementation, a set ofgearing and components is chosen so that a speed of raising the floor ishalf as fast as lowering the floor from a first position to a secondposition.

While the floor is shown in a lowered configuration in FIG. 2A, thefloor 111 is shown in a raised configuration in FIG. 12. The floor israised or lowered at a speed consistent with the speed of rotation ofthe paddlewheel 170. In turn, the paddlewheel 170 spins at a speedproportional to the volume of water pumped per unit time by the pump 130or proportional to a momentum per unit time as delivered by impingingwater from the effluents of the pump 130. While a paddlewheel 170 andpumped water is one embodiment of mechanically working the lift, otherexamples include use of an electric hydraulic pump as further shown anddescribed in relation to other figures.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the spa 100 and basin shown inFIG. 1. Circular apertures 181 are shown at various locations along theouter exposed surface 184 and boundary or wall of the spa. Theseapertures 181 are aligned with matching apertures in other portions ofthe basin and the components are preferably connected by rivet nuts orrivnuts. Rivets are also known as a blind nut. A rivnut is a threadedinsert and can be considered a counterbored tubular rivet. Other typesof fasteners or welding or other type of assembly method may be used toassemble the basin from the components illustrated in other figures.

In FIG. 3, a top flat outer edge 182 is visible and is a place wherecladding such as stones or tiles may be attached by adhesive along therim of the spa 100. The outer surface 107 and outer wall 104 of thescupper 117 are visible. An outer wall 104 of the scupper 117 may beclad with stone or other material if the spa 100 is exposed such as whenthe spa 100 is partially recessed in a ground or in a deck. Water thatflows over the upper surface 182 of the spa 100 passes over the outerwall 104 and is caught by the interior reservoir 102 of the scupper 117.

A water level W may rise momentarily as the floor 111 and seat surface110 is raised or lowered in the spa 100. An actual spa seat depth h1extends from the water level W to the top of the seat surface 110. Asecond height h2 extends from the bottom of the spa 100 from the bottomplane of the spa structure to the top of the seat 110 and surfacethereof. A third height h3 is a perceived spa depth less than the secondheight h2 consistent with where a person can place her feet on the floor111 and the water level W extends a height h3 above the floor 111. Jetorifices 115 are visible in the upper wall 103. Water and air may becirculated through the orifices 115. A seat structure 180 is visiblebelow the seat level. The seat structure 180 is assembled separatelyfrom the basin and is placed or mounted inside the basin during assemblyof the spa 100. The seat surface 110 is assembled on the ledge createdby one or more seat structures 180.

FIGS. 4A-4E are a series of views of components of a trough or scuppercorner as first shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective viewof an assembled corner piece before assembly with other parts of thebasin. The assembled corner is made by bending and attachingtogether—such as by welding—several planar pieces as illustrated inother figures. In FIG. 4A, an outer surface 104 is visible and is smoothfrom a top surface 182 to a bottom surface 185 of the scupper 117. A topsurface 106 of the scupper may lay over or under a surrounding floor. Ascupper height 187 and a scupper width 186A may be used to calculate avolume of water that can be captured in the scupper 117 withoutoverflowing the scupper 117. A drain or effluent is not shown but ispreferably installed in a bottom surface 185 to facilitate return of spawater to inside of the basin. A scupper width 186 is a distance or widthof material used to create the corner. Assembly apertures 181 arevisible in the assembly surfaces 184. Top apertures 183 are visible inthe top surface 182 of the corner. The top apertures 183 may be used tosecure cladding such as tiles or other material to the top rim of thespa. An inner surface 189 of the material is visible. A seam 189A isformed at the intersection of two planes of material. The seam 189A maybe welded together. A scupper recess depth 188 is illustrated as adistance from a top edge 182 of the basin to a bottom surface 185 of thescupper 117. According to one pattern, a corner 233 may need to beassembled to the scupper 117 to make a complete surface 106 around therim.

FIGS. 4B-4E illustrate in planar views unassembled and unbent componentsof the corner piece shown in FIG. 4A. The dimensions may be adjusted asdesired for an overall size and shape of a spa as described herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates a planar view of the component for the upper outerwall of the basin of the spa 200. In FIG. 4B, several assembly apertures181 have been formed in the material such as by drilling, welding, orcutting. A scupper recess depth 188 is a first distance along a side ofthe piece. Assembly surfaces 202 are a same surface as an exposedsurface 184 shown in other figures. The assembly surfaces 202 is formedand oriented by bending along a respective bend line 199, 201. A topsurface 182 shown in FIG. 4A is formed by bending the material alongrespective lines 197, 198 and welding the seam. A width of the topsurface 182 is determined by subtracting the scupper recess depth 188from an overall height 190 of the material. In FIG. 4B, the piece is putinto a 90-degree angle by bending at the central line 191. The surface104 becomes the outer surface 104 shown in FIG. 4A. Widths 194, 195 arevisible for the working surfaces 202. Inner corner lengths 192, 193 areselected for a desired size of the corner piece. An overall width 196 ofthe material is selected to accommodate desired dimensions of surfacesin the final orientation.

FIG. 4C illustrates a planar view of the component for the scupper 117of the spa 200. In FIG. 4C, an upper surface 106 of the scupper 117 isvisible and is formed by bending along respective fold lines 217 towardthe outer edges. The surface 203 is the wall of the scupper 117 shown inother figures. A central fold line 217A is for bending the piece into a90-degree angle for the corner. A square of material of side size afirst height 208 less the wall height 209 is needed to complete theupper surface 106 after the central fold is performed as evident insquare piece 233 in FIG. 4A. The upper surface 106 includes a firstlength 215 and a second length 216. One or more assembly apertures 218may be formed in the material; the apertures 218 of FIG. 4C are the sameas assembly apertures 181 shown in other figures. After folding alongthe first fold line 214 and the second fold lines 217, a seam betweenthe top surface 106 and assembly surface 218 may be welded—the seam 189Aof FIG. 4A. A first length 210 of a first portion of the piece may be asame or a different size as a second length 212 of the second portion ofthe piece. A width 211 of a first working surface and a width 213 of asecond surface are preferably the same in size.

FIG. 4D illustrates a planar view of the component for the floor 185 ofthe spa 200. In FIG. 4D, two fold lines 215 are visible for bending theworking surfaces away from the plane 221 of the material which ends upas the floor 185 of the scupper 117 shown in other figures. The workingsurfaces include one or more assembly apertures 181. Preferably, a firstwidth 225 of a first end is a same size as a width 229 of the secondend. The width 186A of the scupper in FIG. 4A is the same as the widths226, 228 in FIG. 4D. The squares having sides 230, 231 are subtractedfrom the overall width 225 of a first side of the piece to get the firstwidth 226. The second width 228 is similarly determined from the squareshaving a side 227 subtracted from the overall second width 229. A firstfinished distance 222 is less than an overall distance 223 along a firstside of the material 221. A second finished distance 232 is similarlydetermined after removing the distance 227 based on the bend at therespective bend line 215. A first width 224 is preferably a same as asecond width or distance 227.

FIG. 4E illustrates a planar view of a square component that is usedmultiple times to complete an upper or working edge of the sheetmaterial for the spa such as spa 100 of FIG. 1 and the spa 200 of FIG.2A. FIG. 4E includes a first side 233 and a second side 236. The squareincludes a first dimension 234 and a second dimension 235. Thesedimensions 234, 235 may be a same size as the distances related to theworking surfaces of FIG. 4D. For example, these dimensions 234, 235 maybe a same size as distances 224, 227, 230, and 231.

FIGS. 5A-5C are a series of planar views of components of a wall corneras first shown in FIG. 2A. Dashed lines indicate a 90-degree bend unlessotherwise indicated. Also, unless indicated otherwise, each component ismade from 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a 2B finish. Othercomponents for a complete basin are also made of this material accordingto a first specific embodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates a planar view of a T-shaped component 240. In FIG.5A, the piece 240 includes a bend line 141 for a 90-degree bend, a firstsurface 242, and a second surface 243. A first width 244 is double thesize of the two sides on each side of the bend line 241 as the bend line241 runs down the middle of the component 240. A second width 245 isacross a top of the T-shape. A first length 248 of the top portion ofthe T-shape and a second or body length 247 add up to the overall length246 of the component 240.

FIG. 5B illustrates a planar view of a folded component 250. In FIG. 5B,first portions 253, 255 are folded under second portions 252, 254, whichare then folded 90-degrees relative to the planar portion. The seams maybe welded to each other after the 90-degree folds are made. The planarportion is of a first dimension 260 and a second dimension 261 which maybe equal to each other. The first portion 253 is of a first dimension258 and a second first portion 255 is of a first dimension that may be asame as the first dimension 258. The second portion 252 is of a seconddimension 259 and a second of two second portions 254 is of a seconddimension 262 that may be a same as the second dimension 259. An innerlength 257 of a first portion 253 may be a same as an inner length 256of a second of two first portions 255. Assembly apertures 181 are formedand visible in the first portions 253, 255.

FIG. 5C illustrates a planar view of square components 270, 271 that areused multiple times to complete various parts of the sheet material forthe spa such as spa 100 of FIG. 1 and the spa 200 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 5Cincludes a first dimension 272 and a second dimension that at are thesame consistent with the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 6A-6D are a series of views of components of a scupper edge asfirst shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.

FIG. 6A illustrates a side component 105 of a basin with fill squares270, 271 first illustrated in FIG. 5C proximate to their final assembledpositions. The squares 270, 271 are welded into place. Working surfaces184 are mated to similar surfaces of corner components as shown in FIG.4A. A top surface 182 helps form a top perimeter of the basin in the spa200. A side surface 104 is visible. An outer surface 185 of the scupperis visible. Multiple assembly apertures 181 are formed in the workingsurfaces 184. Multiple side components 105 are assembled together tocomplete a finished basin as evident in the seams illustrated in FIG.2A.

FIG. 6B illustrates a planar view of a component for forming the sidecomponent 105 shown in FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6B, according to one embodiment,a width 186A of the bottom surface 185 of the scupper 117 is six inches.A width of the top edge 184 is 2.5 inches. A top fold line 197 and apair of vertical fold lines 215 are visible. The outer side surface 104is visible. Working apertures 181 are formed in several of the tabs. Thesides of each upper corner 186 are welded together. The lower corners187 open up and require a square 270 to fill and complete the workingedge 184. A height of the component is reduced upon folding the side 104at the scupper floor fold line 289 thereby establishing the basin height188 in the finished component.

FIG. 6C illustrates a planar view of a component for forming the lowerportion of the scupper 117. The component includes a vertical sidesurface 185, two working surfaces 184, and a top surface 106. In FIG.6C, there are two vertical bend lines 215 and a lateral bend line 290.According to one implementation, a width of a top surface 106 is 2.5inches. This component is welded or otherwise attached to the componentillustrated in FIG. 6B along the attachment line 291.

FIGS. 7A-7B are a series of views of components of a side panel aspreviously illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an assembled side panel 292. A topsurface 182 includes a width of approximately ten inches. Assemblyapertures 181 are visible in the working sides 184. A position of thisformed component 292 is best evident on the left side and right side ofFIG. 3 where this component is evident on top of the upper portion ofthe scupper panels. What is not visible in the side panel component isthe optional apertures 115 for the water jets in the finished panel.

FIG. 7B illustrates a planar view of the component 292 shown in FIG. 7A.In FIG. 7B, a pair of apertures 115 is formed in the sheet ofmaterial—one centered at four inches below the lateral fold line 289 anda second aperture 115 centered at 14 inches below the lateral fold line289. Both apertures are about 1.6 inches outer diameter. The width 289of the panel is approximate 24 inches. Each of the first folded portion294 and the second folded portion 295 are 2.5 inches.

A set of assembly apertures 181B are formed in the first folded portion294 that are not visible in FIG. 3 because these apertures 181B are notvisible from the side view as in FIG. 3. Two vertical fold lines 215divide the working surfaces 184 from the center panel portion. theoverall width of the entire two-dimensional panel is 64 inches. Thefinished panel portion 292 is 46.5 inches from the fold line 289 to thebottom fold line 197 of the panel.

FIGS. 8A-8B are a series of views of a component a corner bench or seatcorner 301 as first shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an assembled corner bench component301. Two components 301 complete a 90-degree corner. Thus, eight unitsof FIG. 8A are needed to complete an entire square basin. The materialof the seat corner 301 is a stainless steel such as a 14 gauge (GA) 304stainless steel with a 2B finish. In FIG. 8A, a top surface 302 issupported by a front leg 303 and a back side 308. A 90-degree corner 304is shown at the far end of FIG. 8A. A 45-degree edge 307 is on a leftside in FIG. 8A. Several assembly surfaces 184 are shown for matingagainst other assembly surfaces 184. When two components 301 areassembled in a corner, the respective 45-degree edges 307 of the twocomponents 301 are placed against each other. Consequently, two frontlegs 303 would be at a 90-degree angle with respect to one another. Thebottom edge 309 of the back side 308 may be welded to a floor or othersurface inside of the basin to keep the seat corner 301 fixed within thebasin.

FIG. 8B illustrates a planar view of the corner bench component 301shown assembled in FIG. 8A. In FIG. 8B, along three of four edges, thetop surface 302 includes three rectilinear fold lines 305 that showwhere a 90-degree fold is made. A fourth fold line 307 is diagonal withrespect to the top surface 302 where the folded tab 315 has a length 313of approximately 20 inches. The back side 308 includes a vertical90-degree fold line 215, and a 45-degree fold line 306. There is a firsttab portion 310 and a second tab portion 311 that is folded at avertical fold line 215 at 90-degrees. The bottom edge 309, after thefolds are made, is approximately 20 inches long. A width of the firsttab portion 310 is approximately 2.8284 inches. A width of the secondtab portion 311 is approximately 2.5 inches which is the same width asmany of the working surfaces 184. A height of the back side 308 isapproximately 22 inches. A height of the front leg 303 is the same 22inches. The front leg 303 includes a bottom edge 314, a vertical foldline 215, and a 45-degree vertical fold line 306. A width 315 of thefront leg 303 is approximately 5.75 inches. A tab length of the45-degree tab 316 is approximately 19.5 inches. A length of a topsurface tab 317 along the fold line 305 is approximately 18 inches. Anextra weld piece or cross arm 312 may be used to add stability to thebench component 301 when assembled. The cross arm 312 stretches betweenthe working surfaces 184 of the front leg 303 and the back side 308. Thecross arm 312 is illustrated in an assembled state in FIG. 9A inreference to side seat structures. According to one embodiment, thecross arm 312 has a length of 13 inches and width of 2.5 inches and maybe installed an arbitrary number of inches above the bottom edge 309.The An overall length of the planar piece 301 shown in FIG. 8B is 62inches.

FIGS. 9A-9C are a series of views of components of a bench or seatstructure 331 as first shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the assembled bench component 331. Aseries of bench components 331 stretch side to side across a side of abasin between corner pieces 301 as best visible in FIG. 3. Eight of thecomponents shown in FIG. 9A are needed to complete a basin as shown inFIG. 2A.

The material of the bench component 331 is a stainless steel such as a14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a 2B finish. In FIG. 9A, a topsurface 332 is supported by a first side 333 and a second side 334. Thefirst side 333 and the second side 334 are folded at a 90-degree corneralong a fold line 305. The working surfaces 184 are folded alongvertical fold lines 215 at 90 degrees. Adjacent working surfaces 184 arewelded along a weld line 335. A cross arm 312 is welded into place toprovide lateral stability between the first side 333 and the second side334. A height 336 of the bench component 331 is approximately 22 inches.Inside the bench component 331 is a support brace 341 that is shown inplanar view in FIG. 9C. A depth 337 of the bench piece 331 is 24 inchesafter being folded, which leaves 2.5 inches for a width for each of theworking surfaces 184.

FIG. 9B illustrates a planar view of the bench component 331 shownassembled in FIG. 9A. In FIG. 9B, the first side 333, the second side334, and the top surface 332 are shown. Tabs that end up as workingsurfaces 184 are visible on a top and a bottom side of the sheet. Whenassembled into a basin, the finished bench component 331 may be weldedinto place along a bottom edge 309. A set of assembly apertures 181 areformed in the working surfaces 184, preferably while the sheet is flatbefore the first side 333 and the second side 334 are folded 90 degreesat respective fold lines 305.

FIG. 9C illustrates a planar view of the support brace 341 first shownin FIG. 9A. The support brace 341 is preferably a single planarcomponent cut from a sheet of material into a pair of vertical supportlegs 344, a top bar 343, and a cross bar 342 that is similar to thecross arm 312 first shown in FIG. 9A. Preferably, the support brace 341is TIG welded into the bench component 331. According to one embodiment,a bottom edge of the cross bar 342 is cut approximately six inches abovea bottom edge 309 of the support brace 341. The overall height 336 ofthe support brace 341 is approximately 22 inches consistent with theheight of the bench component 331 so that the entire bench component 331sits flat to a floor. FIG. 9C also shows two cross arms 312 each 2.5inches wide and each 13 inches according to a length dimension 338.

FIGS. 10A-10B are a series of views of a basin floor piece 351 as shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the assembled basin floor piece 351.Sixteen floor pieces 351 are needed to complete a basin as shown in FIG.2A. Each side of the square piece 351 in FIG. 10A is 24 inches. In FIG.10A, a top surface 352 is surrounded by assembly surfaces 184 thatextend 2.5 inches beneath the top surface 352 after being folded 90degrees. Adjacent assembly surfaces 184 are welded together at weldlines 353. Assembly apertures 181 are formed in the material and arevisible in the assembly surfaces 184. While a single basin floor 351piece is shown in FIG. 10A, multiple basin floor pieces 351 may beassembled and welded together to form any particular bottom of a basinsuch as that shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3. While a square floorpiece 351 is shown, other shapes such as triangles, circles, ovoids,trapezoids, and the like may be made and assembled together to form acompleted floor of arbitrary shape and design.

FIG. 10B is a planar view of an unassembled basin floor piece prior tobeing formed into the basin floor piece 351 shown in FIG. 10A. Cornernotches are cut from the otherwise regular corners of the sheet thatincludes the top surface 352. The lateral edges 354 of the assemblysurfaces 184, when bent, lie next to each other and may be welded at theweld line 353 shown in FIG. 10A. The respective bend lines 215 indicatewhere the material is folded 90 degrees.

FIGS. 11-12 are two perspective view illustrations of a same assembledand installed spa 361 according to another embodiment as first shown inFIG. 1 but with the basin installed in a fixed location and with a floorsurrounding the spa 361.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spa basin with the spa floor 111lowered inside the interior 101 of the basin. A pump, electric powerlines, pipes, fittings, and the like are not illustrated but are part ofthe spa of this figure—these elements are installed beneath the flooringso as to be unobservable when the spa is fully installed. One or moreelectric controls including one or more switches exterior to the spa 361are not shown and are made available to operate the movable floor 111,to circulate and heat the water in the spa 361, and perform otherfunctions available with the components of the spa 361. A seat cladding110 is visible inside of the basin. Corner pieces 109 are affixed at thecorners of the upper rim 118 of the basin.

The top, outer planar surface of the scupper (106 in FIG. 1) is notcoplanar with the top of the basin in FIG. 11 but is downwardly offsetfrom the upper rim 118 of the basin. A top surface of the scupper liesimmediately below the flooring 362. The flooring 362 lies a distance 363below the upper rim 118 of the basin. The distance 363 is a designchoice based on an aesthetic preference or other preference of an ownerof the spa 361. The interior of the scupper 102 is positioned to catchwater that flows up and over the upper rim 118 of the basin as themovable floor 111 is operated up or down inside of the basin. The uppersurface of the scupper lies below the flooring 362. As illustrated, theflooring 362 is tiled up to and over the edge of the outer scupperportion first shown in FIG. 1. The basin sits a certain distance abovethe surrounding floor for the convenience of the patrons of the spa. Thescupper interior 102 is of an exposed width 364 that depends on a designselection. As illustrated, this width 364 is approximately six inches.In FIG. 11, a corner lift mechanism covering 112 includes a verticallyoriented aperture 114 to allow for a portion of a mechanical frame topass upward and downward. A set of water jet apertures 115 are visiblein the upper vertical wall 103 inside the basin. No water is illustratedin the basin for sake of convenience. In practice, water to a levelabove the water jet apertures 115 is anticipated.

FIG. 12 illustrates the floor 111 and seat panels 110 in a raisedconfiguration. The floor 111 and seat panels 110 have been raised to thelevel of the top 118 of the basin from the position illustrated in FIG.11. In FIG. 12, the top or rim 118 of the basin is the indicateddistance 363 above the plane of the surrounding floor 362. The spa floor111 has been raised a distance 368 starting from a position lower thanthe outer floor 362 to the rim 118 of the basin. A scupper size or width364 remains the same as in FIG. 11.

According to one embodiment, the floor 111 is one continuous floor inFIGS. 11-12. Floor pieces, such as the pieces 351 shown in FIG. 10A,have been joined together at floor seams 365. In FIG. 12, the seatsection 110 is one piece and the various seat pieces, seat cladding,and/or the like have been joined at seat seams 366. Due to the nature ofthe movable parts and the physical arrangement of the parts, when theinterior of the basin is raised, a small first gap 367 exists betweenthe outer rim of the seat surface 110 and the cladding on the upper rim118 of the basin. For example, a size of a first gap 367 is 0.1 inches,0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, and thelike. Further, a small second gap 369 exists between the seat surface110 and the floor 111. For example, a size of a second gap 369 is 0.1inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches,and the like. The rim 118 and the rest of the top of the spa 361 shownin FIG. 12 is above a water level inside the spa basin and therefore isdry and can be used for a variety of purposes. Thus, a spa 361 can takethe place of a traditional spa and within seconds can be transitioned toa flat dry surface capable of supporting a significant amount of weight.

FIGS. 13-14 are two perspective illustrations of an assembled andinstalled spa 371 according to a second embodiment in two differentconfigurations. In FIGS. 13-14, the opening of the scupper is formedco-planar with the top of the spa basin making the entire spa 371co-planar with the surrounding floor 362. A pump, electric power lines,pipes, fittings, and the like are not illustrated in FIGS. 13-14, butare part of the spa 371 of these figures—these elements are installedbeneath the flooring so as to be unobservable when the spa 371 is fullyinstalled.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a spa 371 with the spa floor 111 raisedlevel with the top rim 118 of the basin. According to one variation, thecladding 108 is a same size, a same shape, a same design, a same colorand the like of the surrounding floor 362 so as to blend in with thesurrounding floor 362. One or more electric controls including one ormore switches exterior to the spa 371 are not shown and are madeavailable to operate the movable floor 111, to circulate and heat thewater in the spa 371, and to perform other functions availableconsistent with the components included in the spa 371. A seat cladding110 is visible inside of the basin. Corner pieces 109 are affixed at thecorners of the upper rim 118 of the basin, but blend into the floor 362such that to an observer, there are no defined corners of a spa; thecorner pieces 109 are a same size, a same shape, and so forth of thecladding of the spa seat surface 110, floor surface 111, and surroundingfloor 362.

The top, outer planar surface of the scupper (106 in FIG. 1) isapproximately coplanar with the top of the basin in FIG. 13 and iscovered with flooring 362. A top surface of the scupper lies immediatelybelow the flooring 362. The interior of the scupper 102 is positioned tocatch water that flows up and over the upper rim 118 of the basin as themovable floor 111 is operated up or down inside of the basin of the spa371. If any water flows outward from the spa 371, such water is caughtin the scupper interior 102 and pumped back into the basin.

Due to the nature of the movable parts and the physical arrangement ofthe parts, when the interior of the basin is raised, a small first gap367 exists between the outer rim of the seat surface 110 and thecladding on the upper rim 118 of the basin. Further, a small second gap369 exists between the seat surface 110 and the floor 111. Asillustrated in FIGS. 13-14, the flooring 362 is tiled up to and over theedge of the outer scupper portion first shown in FIG. 1.

The basin sits below the surrounding floor 362 for the convenience ofthe patrons of the spa and overall utility of the space in which the spa371 and flooring 362 reside. The scupper interior 102 is of an exposedwidth 372 that is as small as possible to make the spa area as useful aspossible when the floor 111 and the seat surface 110 are in a raisedposition as shown in FIG. 13. As illustrated, this width 372 isapproximately 0.5 inches but can be of any reasonable size including0.10 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.85inches, 1.2 inches, 1.7 inches. Any water in the spa 371 lies below thesurface of the floor 362, below the spa seat surface 110, and below thespa floor surface 111. Thus, the entire area of the spa 371 is dry whenthe spa 371 is in this configuration.

FIG. 14 illustrates the floor 111 and seat panels 110 in a loweredconfiguration as compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 13. In FIG.14, the floor 111 and seat panels 110 have been lowered a distance 368to a level below the top 118 of the basin of the spa 371. In FIG. 14,the top or rim 118 of the basin is covered with cladding similar to thatof the flooring 362. A scupper size or width remains the same as in FIG.13.

According to one embodiment, the floor 111 is one continuous floor inFIGS. 13-14. Floor pieces, such as the pieces 351 shown in FIG. 10A,have been joined together at floor seams. In FIG. 14, the seat section110 is one piece and the various seat pieces, seat cladding, and/or thelike have been joined at seat seams.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative embodimentof a water-filled spa 381 with an electric powered hydraulic liftmechanism—instead of an electric powered water pump lift mechanism—forraising the floor panels of a spa. The cross-sectional view may be takenfrom an embodiment similar to one shown in FIG. 2A, and thus FIG. 15 issimilar to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 15, the floor panels 382 are illustrated in a first position:lowered into the water-filled spa 381. With reference to FIG. 15, a spaincludes one or more vertically movable floor panels 382 and one or moreseat panels 383. An upper side wall 103 and a lower side wall 113 arevisible. The top 384 of the water-filled spa is installed at the levelof floor tiles 362. An inner wall 103 of the spa is substantiallyvertical in the illustration and side walls 385 are illustrated andvisible from this viewpoint to show how the floor panels 382 in thecenter portion of the spa 381 are deeper in the water than the seatpanels 383.

The movable panels 382, 383 can be raised or lowered by way ofactivation and operation of a hydraulic mechanism that includes pistons386 inside a respective water-safe hydraulic housing 387 that is sealedagainst water from entering therein. The hydraulic actuator units thatinclude the housing 387 and the piston 386 are commercially available.The hydraulic actuators can operate in an ambient temperature range from−30° C. to 80° C. In one example, of a hydraulic actuator, an oil flowrate causes the piston to move at least 2 inches per second. Otherspeeds are possible. Mineral oil or other commercially viable fluid ismechanism by which the hydraulic lift force is applied to the piston.The hydraulic lift is preferably powered by electricity provided througha partially illustrated electric cable 388. A non-illustrated distal endof the electric cable 388 would be plugged into an electric outlet orwired into a source of electricity such as at a breaker panel. Theelectric cable 388 would be electrically coupled to a switch that wouldbe mounted in a position proximate to the spa 381 consistent withcommercial safety standards.

In operation, the piston 386 moves up and down to a desired position,even to a partial position within the range of motion of the piston andthus a range of motion of the floor panels 382 and the seat panels 383.Related and unlabeled electrical and control components may beprogrammed to operate the piston 386, and thereby the panels 382, 383,continuously along a range of motion. Alternatively, the piston 386, andthereby the panels 382, 383, may be programmed to stop at one or morepre-programmed locations along the range of motion of the piston 386.Alternatively, the piston 386, and thereby the panels 382, 383, may beprogrammed to move to one or more locations along the range of motion ofthe piston 386 according to a time schedule desired by an operator. Forexample, the spa 381 could be programmed to close at a particular timeof day or night consistent with times of operation of a place ofbusiness. If multiple pistons 386 are used, then the range of motion andspeed of operation of a first piston 386 is preferably matched to therange of motion and speed of operation of the other pistons.

When extended upward, the piston 386 moves the seat panels 383 upward.The seat panels 383 may be attached to a frame component. According toone embodiment, a movable frame or frame component supports the seatpanels 383 and includes a post 389 or other fixture for attaching achain 390. The post 389 is attached or coupled to the chain 390. Thechain 390 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel or a ceramic,composite, synthetic material or plastic material so as to promotelongevity of the chain when subjected to prolonged submersion in the spa381. Each component of the chain 390 may be made of links and pins. Foran open chain, the chain 390 may include one or more weights 391 to keepchain 390 properly aligned with certain components such as stays, chainguides and gears to enable a smooth and consistent operation. Inpractice, the mechanisms shown are hidden within vertical columns formedin the walls of the spa 391 such as in vertical columns 112B shown inFIG. 2A.

In FIG. 15, the chain 390 is mechanically coupled to one or more gearstructures 392, 393. For sake of simplicity of illustration, two gearstructures 392, 393 are shown. However, a single gear structure would besufficient as is known to those in the mechanical gear arts. In FIG. 15,gear structures 392, 393 are locked into operation with an unlabeledclosed chain such that turning gear or gear structure 392 turns gear orgear structure 393. As the pistons 386 are raised, chains 390 are pulledupward. Pulling chains 390 upward causes the gear structures 392, 393 toturn and thereby transfer motion to a second chain 394. If the secondchain 394 is open, the second chain 394 may have attached thereto one ormore weights 395. Movement of the second chain 394 moves the floor 382upward according to a gear ratio associated with gears and/or gearstructures 392, 393. That is, the floor 382 moves simultaneously and inconjunction with movement of the seat 383 such that raising floor 382also raises seat 383, and panels 382, 383 thereby arrive at a same levelas the fixed floor 362 when the pistons 386 are extended to a finalposition. As the panels 382, 383 are moved upward, water in the basin ofthe spa may spill or flow into the scuppers 102 in the gaps between thecladding 108 on the top rim 118 of the basin and the tiles 362 of thefloor.

Preferably, the post 389, chains 390, 394, and other mechanicalcomponents including the gear structures 392, 393 are shielded frominteraction with an operator or occupant of the spa to the extentpossible. That is, chains 392, 393, and other mechanical componentsincluding the gear structures 392, 393 are mounted and operate outsideof the shell of the basin as shown in FIG. 2A with posts 389 extendingfrom inside the basin to outside of the basin through apertures 114visible in FIG. 1, and other figures. Chains 390, 394, and othermechanical components including the gear structures 392, 393 are shownexposed in FIGS. 15-16 for sake of illustration only.

While reference may be made to a single piston 386 herein, multiplepistons 386 are illustrated in FIGS. 15-16. That is, the mechanism maysuccessfully use one or more pistons 386 or one or more hydraulicactuators depending on the sizes, weights and geometries of the panels382, 383 and other components. Further, certain elements are removedfrom FIG. 16 as compared to, for example, FIG. 2A and FIG. 3 so as tosimplify the discussion of the mechanism of lifting the floor 382 andseat 383.

In FIG. 15, while one or more pistons 386 may move the seat panel 383,it is possible to construct the gear structures 392, 393 such that thepiston 386 may be attached to the floor panel 382 which in turn, throughone or more chains, moves the seat panel 383. However, such alternativearrangement requires that the piston 386 move through a larger range ofmotion to obtain a same result—moving the floor panels 382, 383 from asubmerged position inside the spa to level with the rest of thesurrounding floor 362 such as is shown in a front perspective view inFIG. 13. In yet another embodiment, one or more pistons 386 may operatemultiple gear structures and one or more chains to lift any number ofpositions of floor panels 382, 383 by way of chains only and not asdirectly attached directly to the pistons 386.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of an alternativeconfiguration or position of the components first shown in FIG. 15 withthe floor 382 in a second position: level with the rest of thesurrounding floor or floor panels 362. In FIG. 16, the floor of thespace that includes the spa has been closed up by extension of the oneor more pistons 386 that have moved the seat panels 383 and, indirectly,the floor panels 382, into place. Just a bit of the pistons 386 remainin the hydraulic housing 388. The lateral walls 385 and the back wall103 of the spa are visible and are now beneath a firm floor made ofpanels 382, 383, 108 and 362. The frame for the seat panels 383 hasattached thereto one end of the first chain 390 at a position 395indicated. The weight 391 on the other end of the first chain 390 hasbeen raised up. The gear components 392, 393 have operated andtransferred the motion of the first chain 390 to the second chain 394.The second weight 395 on the end of the second chain 394 has sunk to thebottom of the basin as the chain 394 has been passed over the secondgear component 393. The other end of the second chain 394 is attached tothe post 389. The scupper 102 has captured excess water that has beenbrought up by the floor panels 382 and seat panels 383.

CONCLUSION

In the previous description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding ofthe components. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the artthat the description can be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, structures, devices, systems and methods are shown onlyin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or“implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment orimplementation is included in at least one embodiment or implementationof the technology. Appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not other embodiments.

It will be evident that the various modification and changes can be madeto these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit of thedescription. In this technology, advancements are frequent and furtheradvancements are not easily foreseen. The disclosed embodiments may bereadily modifiable in arrangement and detail as facilitated by enablingtechnological advancements without departing from the principles of thepresent disclosure.

I claim:
 1. A pool system comprising: a basin forming a water-receivingrecess, the recess having one or more walls including a bottom surface;a movable floor disposed above the bottom surface in the basin, themovable floor mounted to a scaffolding, the movable floor stretchingacross at least a portion of the basin; a water circulation pump plumbedto the basin so as to circulate water to and from the basin through afirst pipe and a second pipe when the water circulation pump isactivated; and a lift in mechanical connection with the scaffolding,wherein the lift includes a rotatable screw that is in mechanicalconnection with the lift, wherein the screw is mounted in the basin,wherein the scaffolding is movably mounted to the screw thereby allowingthe scaffolding and floor to move on the screw by operation of the liftin response to flow of water from either the first pipe or the secondpipe at any one time.
 2. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the watercirculation pump resides external to the basin, and wherein the liftincludes a paddlewheel in the path of a flow of water from the firstpipe and the second pipe, wherein the paddlewheel turns in response tooperation of the pump in either a first direction when water is flowingthrough the first pipe or a second direction when the water is flowingthrough the second pipe depending on which way the water circulationpump operates.
 3. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the scaffolding isa horizontally disposed scaffolding.
 4. The pool system of claim 1,wherein the movable floor stretches horizontally across at least aportion of the basin.
 5. The pool system of claim 1, wherein the screwis mounted vertically in the basin.
 6. The pool system of claim 1,wherein the scaffolding and floor move up and down on the screw byoperation of the paddlewheel.
 7. The pool system of claim 1, wherein thepaddlewheel is mounted inside a protective enclosure and is mountedunder the movable floor and the scaffolding.
 8. The pool system of claim1, wherein the basin includes semi-enclosed compartments for housing oneor more elements of the lift and the rotatable screw.
 9. The pool systemof claim 1, wherein the lift includes a safety lock mechanism thatprevents the scaffolding from lowering in the basin upon loss of powerto the water circulation pump.
 10. The pool system of claim 1, whereinthe floor is formed from a set of planar pieces, each piece individuallyaffixed to the scaffolding and to each other.
 11. A pool systemcomprising: a basin forming a water-receiving recess, the recess havingone or more walls including a bottom surface; a movable floor disposedabove the bottom surface in the basin, the movable floor mounted to ascaffolding, the movable floor stretching across at least a portion ofthe basin; and a hydraulic actuator in mechanical connection with thescaffolding and configured to lift and lower the movable floor by way ofoperating against the scaffolding.
 12. The pool system of claim 11,wherein the system further comprises: a chain mechanically coupled tothe scaffolding, the hydraulic actuator, and a gear, wherein operationof the hydraulic actuator causes movement of the movable floor by way ofthe chain.
 13. The pool system of claim 12, wherein the chain is mountedinside a protective enclosure portion of one or more walls of the basin.14. The pool system of claim 11, wherein the scaffolding is ahorizontally disposed scaffolding.
 15. The pool system of claim 11,wherein the movable floor stretches horizontally across at least aportion of the basin.
 16. The pool system of claim 11, wherein thehydraulic actuator is mounted vertically in the basin.
 17. The poolsystem of claim 11, wherein the basin includes a scupper that passesaround at least a portion of the perimeter of the basin.
 18. The poolsystem of claim 11, wherein the basin includes a scupper that passesaround an entirety of the perimeter of the basin.
 19. The pool system ofclaim 18, wherein a width of an opening into an interior of the scupperis one inch or less.
 20. The pool system of claim 18, wherein thescupper is set a distance at least 6 inches below a top plane of aperimeter of the basin.